St. Louis Blues Make Another Round of Cuts

Following the St. Louis Blues’ Saturday night loss to the Dallas Stars in an exhibition in Kansas City, the team continued to trim its training camp roster. Forwards John McCarthy, Philip McRae, Ty Rattie, defenseman Brent Regner, and goaltender Jordan Binnington were reassigned to AHL Chicago, where they’ll begin training camp on Monday. All five players had taken part in Saturday night’s game.

McCarthy, McRae, and Regner have enough professional service time that they’re required to be put through waivers before being sent to the minors. They were exposed on Friday afternoon and cleared waivers on Saturday morning. Rattie and Binnington, meanwhile, had virtually no chance of cracking the initial 23-man roster, though both players are exciting young prospects and could have roles on the 2014-15 club.

Besides forward Paul Bissonnette and defenseman Ryan Whitney, who are on professional tryout contracts and figure to stick with the club until the end of training camp, even if they have a minimal chance to make the NHL roster, the biggest surprises among the Blues’ remaining players are forward Robby Fabbri and defenseman Petteri Lindbohm.

Fabbri was the Blues’ first-round selection in this year’s draft, and many viewed him as a two to three-year project who needed to add strength before having a chance at competing in the NHL. He’s far exceeded expectations though, impressing the staff in practices and carrying the results over into the games, where he has a goal and an assist through two exhibition contests.

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Lindbohm has been impressive enough to work his way into the competition on the blue line. While it’s going to be difficult for the Blues to fit him in when they already have a stable of experienced defensemen which includes Ian Cole, Jordan Leopold, Chris Butler, and Nate Prosser, the 21-year-old has at least earned himself a longer-than-expected look in camp, after many expected him to be sent out in the opening days to return to his team in Finland, which has already begun its season.